Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has called for vigilance and for the public not to panic as the country records two positive cases of diphtheria disease.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), has alerted the department of two laboratory-confirmed cases of diphtheria disease that were detected in April 2023.
According to the department, the first case was detected in an adult in KwaZulu-Natal, while the second infection was found in a child in the Western Cape.
Diphtheria is an uncommon, but vaccine-preventable serious infection caused by a toxin-producing bacterium called Corynebacterium diphtheria.
“The toxin may lead to difficulty in breathing, heart rhythm problems, and even death,” the department explained.
The bacteria, according to the department, spreads from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing.
The symptoms of diphtheria include sore throat, with the formation of a membrane on the tonsil and throat, and swollen glands in the front of the neck.
Close contacts of known cases are at increased risk of infection.
“Routine diphtheria vaccination is section of the childhood vaccine programme and parents are encouraged to acquire their children vaccinated,” the statement read.
The vaccine should be given to all children as portion of the routine vaccines in the first year of life, while booster doses at six and 12 years should also be given.
“Catch-up vaccination is possible if doses maintain been missed.”
However, the department said diphtheria antitoxin is in short supply globally and the World Health Organisation is working to secure additional supplies of antitoxin.
“Treatment in the absence of anti-toxin is appropriate antibiotics and supportive care.”
These cases, the department said, are a reminder that a drop in vaccine coverage may lead to more infections.
“All parents are urged to ensure that their children are up to date for routine vaccines. Children who are not up to date for vaccines should be taken to the nearest clinic for vaccination.”
Meanwhile, clinicians including primary health care nurses throughout the country maintain been urged to believe a high index of suspicion for diphtheria, to notify suspected cases and to send specimens to the laboratory for testing.
In addition, laboratories are encouraged to screen all throat swabs for diphtheria and send all confirmed cases to the NICD’s Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis. – SAnews.gov.za
Pepper Mouse
Eina! – ouch! [Ay-na] Usually expressed when someone experiences a sharp pain of some sort.
Automatic Slicer
A South African, an Australian and an Englishman are all having a drink
The Englishman and South African both drink from Pint Glasses, the Australian from a bottle.
The South African, upon draining his glass, drops in back down on the bar, pulls out a pistol, and shoots the glass.
\”In South Africa, there is so much sand that I never drink from the same glass twice!\”
The Australian, having drained his bottle, sets it down upon the bar and, upon seizing the South African\’s pistol, shoots his bottle.
\”In Australia, there is so much booze that I never drink from the same brand twice!\”
The Englishman, likewise having drained his glass, sets his glass upon the table, seizes the pistol the pistol from the Australian, and shoots the South African and the Australian, quite dead.
\”In England, there are so many of you bastards that I never drink with the same two twice!\”